The SET label, launched in May 2022, reflects ENGIE's global approach to ensuring its renewable energy projects meet the highest standards of sustainability and community integration. It comprises nine concrete commitments across three key themes — community, nature and climate — which are systematically applied throughout the lifecycle of each project, ENGIE adds.

These commitments include stakeholder engagement to ensure local communities and relevant stakeholders are actively involved throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, environmental preservation is a key aspect. Through this commitment, ENGIE says that it implements measures to protect local ecosystems and biodiversity near project sites. A third commitment entails climate action and maximising the contribution of renewable projects to reducing CO2 emissions.

The certification process, conducted by Bureau Veritas, is rigorous and involves an initial audit followed by two confirmation audits over a two-year period. This ensures long-term compliance with the label's criteria, the company adds.

With the recent certification, ENGIE says that South Africa joins a group of 11 countries that include Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, India, Italy, Mexico, Spain and the United States, which collectively represent nearly 85% of ENGIE's onshore and solar installed capacities.

"Receiving the SET label certification is a testament to our dedication to sustainability and community integration," says Mohamed Hoosen, MD — Renewables AMEA at ENGIE South Africa.

"This certification reflects the high standards and robust methods we have developed over the years in the development, operation and maintenance of our projects. At ENGIE, we want to contribute to the life of a region, participating in the development of its socio-economic environment while listening to all our stakeholders. SET recognises this and is a certification we are incredibly proud of," Hoosen adds.

The SET certification process has highlighted several global best practices implemented by ENGIE's teams, including:

  • structured and detailed stakeholder engagement plans
  • comprehensive environmental measures — including the use of advanced tools like the GBIF platform for biodiversity preservation
  • rigorous evaluation of suppliers and partners based on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) criteria
  • internal training on carbon accounting and biodiversity, and
  • sustainable job creation that benefits local economies.

ENGIE concludes that this certification reinforces its role as a key partner in South Africa's sustainable energy future. It underscores the company's ability to balance renewable energy development with environmental stewardship and community upliftment, ensuring that projects contribute meaningfully to the nation's socioeconomic development.

For more information, visit www.engie.com. You can also follow ENGIE on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

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